Brazil invests in robot security guards

While the country might be broke, Brazil is investing a fortune into the 2014 Fifa World Cup and is now spending $7.2 million to buy robot security guards.

The games will have a bit of a problem with security, partly because they will be a magnet for terrorists, but mostly because many people in Brazil are miffed that the government is spending so much dosh on the games.

According toIBTimes, more than 30 military grade robot security guards will help if things go pear-shaped.

The bots have been built by iRobot, a US-based company that makes domestic robots for consumers, as well as defence and security robots for the military.

They look a bit like Short Circuit’s Johnny Five and the versions ordered, the PackBot are one of the most successful battle-tested robots in the world.

Weighing just under 18kg, the remote-controlled robot fits in a backpack and comes with built-in flippers that rotate 360 degrees, so that the robot can climb stairs and rough terrain including rubble, rocks and logs.

It can survive two metre falls, be submerged in up to one metre of water and travels at a top speed of nine km/h.

The PackBot can perform different types of bomb disposal tasks and provide real-time video and other crucial information while performing surveillance of a life-threatening situation.

Apparently the Brazilians will be using them during all Fifa football matches to examine suspicious objects and to provide additional surveillance.